Chapter 1104: Chapter 1098: Priceless
“Your Majesty, please calm down!” The envoy from the Tianfeng Kingdom bowed deeply, “Regarding the attack on Lord of Gaoyi of your country, our Tianfeng Kingdom’s General was also beguiled by the Empress of Xiliang. Additionally, the attack on Pingyang City was entirely the decision of that Commander. When our Monarch of Tianfeng Kingdom heard about this, he was greatly enraged and has already beheaded that Commander, entrusting the envoy to personally deliver it!”
As he spoke, the envoy of the Tianfeng Kingdom turned to his guard behind him, who stepped forward holding a wooden box and opened it… inside was the head of the General from the Tianfeng Kingdom.
“Before the envoy came, His Majesty instructed that for Lord of Gaoyi injured… and for the harm done to your country’s soldiers, the compensation due to Zhou will not be insufficient from Tianfeng Kingdom! So, I ask Your Majesty to calm down in light of the sincerity of our Monarch from Tianfeng Kingdom, and consider the matter of renting land and cities to our Tianfeng Kingdom, as we are willing to trade with Zhou, benefiting both countries peacefully.”
The envoy of the Tianfeng Kingdom raised his head and saw Bai Qingyan smiling, believing she was pleased with such compensation, and promptly added, “Naturally, if Pingyang City is among the rented cities, all repairs to Pingyang City will be fully covered by our Tianfeng Kingdom!”
Bai Qingyan held her teacup while looking at the Tianfeng envoy, who aimed to take advantage more. She chuckled softly.
Bai Qingyan abruptly let out a laugh in the cold wind, which made the envoy’s scalp tighten.
She placed the teacup aside on a small wide-leaved Huangtan table, stood up, took the hand warmer from Chun Zhi, stepped forward two steps, and stared at the envoy of the Tianfeng Kingdom steadily: “The injury to Lord of Gaoyi from Zhou you can compensate with silver, but what compensation can your Tianfeng Kingdom give to the lives of my Bai family’s guards? What compensation can your Tianfeng Kingdom give to our Elite Soldiers who perished last night? With a mere Commander’s head? With silver? Let me tell you… the lives of our Zhou soldiers are priceless!”
The envoy of the Tianfeng Kingdom bowed their head, unsure what to do, having completely lost the ease from before, he quickly replied: “If Your Majesty is not satisfied, we can discuss further!”
“Discuss?! Very well…” Bai Qingyan’s voice was cold as ice shards, “then first send the heads of all your Tianfeng Kingdom’s Elephant Army, and we shall discuss further!”
The envoy knew at this point, there was no room for negotiation.
“What now? You are unwilling to sacrifice the lives of your Tianfeng Kingdom’s Elephant Army?” Bai Qingyan’s gaze was cold, “Tianfeng Kingdom wishes to avoid consequences, yet shamelessly proposes renting cities, return to tell your Monarch Sal Khan of Tianfeng Kingdom, if you dare to strike Zhou, you must be prepared to face Zhou’s wrath.”
The envoy understood the words, though not completely, and raised his head to look at Bai Qingyan.
“Wei Zhong, see the guest out…” Bai Qingyan spoke coldly, then lifted her foot towards the veranda and walked out.
The envoy of the Tianfeng Kingdom raised his head for one last glance at Bai Qingyan, keeping his dignity but immediately turned to leave without waiting for Wei Zhong. He vaguely caught the implication of warfare in Bai Qingyan’s words, feeling he must quickly inform his Monarch to prepare.
Inside the room, Li Zhijie, who had fallen from the bed and was helped back onto the bed by servants, breathed a sigh of relief. Ultimately… Bai Qingyan didn’t hand him over to Tianfeng Kingdom.
Yet, worry still lingered in his heart, as Bai Qingyan’s every move was never meaningless. Keeping his life… is there another plan?
Outside the courtyard, Shen Jingzhong, Shen Tianzhi, and Xiao Ruohai, who had listened for quite a while, saw Bai Qingyan first exiting the courtyard and hurriedly paid their respects, following Bai Qingyan, speaking about the dispatches sent today requiring her decision.
Shen Tianzhi glanced back at the envoy of the Tianfeng Kingdom, aligning his pace with Bai Qingyan’s footsteps, and heard Shen Jingzhong speak to Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty, will Tianfeng Kingdom truly wage war against Zhou? They are far beyond the snow mountains, though backed by Xiliang, yet Xiliang’s grain is scarce, otherwise they wouldn’t buy grains at high prices from Zhou and Yan Kingdom, perhaps… a war might not erupt?”
“Precisely because they lack grain, Tianfeng Kingdom is more inclined towards war… capturing a city means acquiring grain! From Tianfeng Kingdom’s history, there is the belief that… war nurtures war. Which neighboring country of Hanye Kingdom and Mengshe Kingdom have been strong?”
Bai Qingyan halted her steps, turned and looked sternly at Shen Jingzhong: “Minister Shen… we must not hold onto illusions! A wise person sees the unseen danger early, a smart person avoids danger before it manifests; we must not gamble the lives of Zhou’s citizens on the hope that Tianfeng Kingdom truly seeks peace! Especially when winter ends… we will lose the initiative!”
Bai Qingyan, born in a military family, was extremely sensitive to war, well aware of why conflicts exist in this world—because of two reasons: one is to seize land, the other is to seize population.
Today, Tianfeng Kingdom’s land is decreasing, being eaten away by the desert, is desperately needed.
Tianfeng Kingdom’s population is sparse, with a precedent for enslaving people from other countries, now every family in Tianfeng Kingdom has slaves… slaves are Tianfeng Kingdom’s productivity!
Thus, why does Tianfeng Kingdom’s Elephant Army cross the snow mountains to this land? It is for… seizing Zhou and Yan Kingdom’s territory, enslaving Zhou and Yan Kingdom’s people!
Minister Shen stepped back and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “What Your Majesty said is true, it’s the mindset of an aging minister.”
“Minister Shen also cares for Zhou’s soldiers, I understand! Therefore… I request Minister Shen and Master Wei to immediately set off for Dadu City, to manage grain supply matters.” Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell upon Shen Tianzhi, “Just remember one thing, the soldiers on the frontline must not go hungry!”
“Additionally, I must request Your Majesty for guidance on another matter before departure!” Shen Tianzhi looked at Bai Qingyan and said, “Regarding the high grain purchasing by Tianfeng Kingdom and Xiliang from Zhou and Yan Kingdom, I think… perhaps we should sell grain to Tianfeng Kingdom at an extremely high price, this way… they won’t be forced to the brink and attack our sparsely defended cities, causing disaster for border area people.”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “You will handle this matter.”
“Yes!” Shen Tianzhi gave a deep bow.
“At this juncture, Zhou must mobilize the nation’s strength to launch a campaign against Tianfeng Kingdom. Minister Shen and Chief of Staff Shen, convey this message back to the court, the entire nation must unite against a powerful enemy, safeguarding Zhou’s territory and citizens!”
“The old minister accepts the command!”
“I accept the command!”
“Please begin your preparations, sirs!” Bai Qingyan nodded at Minister Shen and Shen Tianzhi.
After they departed, Bai Qingyan asked Xiao Ruohai, who had followed her: “Did you find it?”
Xiao Ruohai took out a carefully drawn map from his clothing and handed it to Bai Qingyan with both hands: “Just as you anticipated, Huoyun Army is located not far from Pingyang City and Pingdu City over at Ansan.”